"Well, they are both so young that a little study with me will be
good for them, and there will be time to judge what they are fit for.
In art I think they are not much interested."

"Paula draws pretty well, but Vera hates it. Old Mr. Delrio is
always cross to her now; but--" Agatha stopped short, remembering
that there might be a reason why the drawing master no longer made
her a favourite pupil.

"Do you think him a good judge?"

"Yes; Mrs. Best thinks much of him. He had an artist's education,
and sometimes has a picture in the Water Colour Exhibition; but I
believe he did not find it answer, and so he took our school of art."

Agatha had talked sensibly throughout the conference, but not
confidentially; much, in fact, as she would have discussed her
sisters with Mrs. Best. She was glad that at the moment the sound of
the piano set them listening. She did not feel bound to mention to
"sister" any more than she would to the head mistress, that when
staying at Mr. Waring's country house a sort of semi-flirtation had
begun with Hubert Delrio, a young man to whose education his father
had sacrificed a great deal, and who was a well-informed and
intelligent gentleman in all his ways. He had engaged himself to the
great firm of Eccles and Beamster, ecclesiastical decorators, and
might be employed upon the intended frescoes of St. Kenelm's Church.

Ought "Sister" to be told?

But Agatha thought it would be betraying confidence to "set on the